One disappointed would-be skier said it was a “contradiction in terms” while another said “surely today” – with snow falling heavily across the UK – was the best day of all for skiing.

The centre replied: “The slope doesn’t run well in this snow, it’s just not compacted so you ski on the matting. We don’t have piste grooming equipment.”

However it apologised for the closure, with the manager Andy Rushton writing: “It’s not something I do lightly.”

Mr Rushton explained to the Standard: “I’m a very frustrated centre manager who has had to close the centre as the country road to us, is only accessible by 4×4 and no way we could get an ambulance to the site if we needed to.”